Operation Shanela targets crime in Wierdabrug, Olievenhoutbosch
Thursday’s operation had Tshwane police apprehend 365 suspects for various crimes
Operation Shanela was held in Centurion on Thursday as Olievenhoutbosch and Wierdabrug SAPS turned their attention to combating crime in the precinct.
Under the command of acting district commissioner Brigadier Samuel Thine, Operation Shanela saw 365 suspects apprehended for various crimes.
Three uniformed groups, comprising two tactical teams and a roadblock group, were tasked with policing the areas of Wierdabrug and Olievenhoutbosch.
“The two stations have had challenges in terms of contact crime, including robberies, murder, assault, theft and hijackings,” Thine told Rekord at the roadblock operation on the R55 in Zwartkop.
“This area where we are in is where stolen vehicles, undocumented persons, and stolen property will pass.”
Thine said that the location was chosen to address these local crime trends.
“We must ensure that the community trusts the police and ensure that the criminals in our society are taken out of it.”
He said that during the operation, the various agencies were looking for illegal firearms, stolen vehicles, those in possession of drugs and drug dealers.
“As we speak, we have recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen in Durban [July 2022],” he said.
One person was apprehended driving the stolen Kia Picanto.
The team also recovered a Toyota Corolla and arrested a suspect wanted for robbery and assault in Boschkop.
During the operation, 1 498 persons, 936 vehicles, and six premises were searched, with 15 vehicles undergoing testing to ensure they were not stolen.
Officers assisted a motorist with her vehicle as it overheated during a roadblock.
Tshwane SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk said the operation entailed high-visibility patrols in crime hotspots, compliance inspections, and raids on illicit liquor outlets.
The group inspected 16 liquor premises, with seven found to be non-compliant with the Liquor Act.
Liquor was confiscated and will be destroyed once criminal cases have been finalised.
“Throughout the operation, Tshwane detectives apprehended 295 suspects – among them 93 individuals involved in gender-based violence, one for murder, two for attempted murder, two for armed robbery, and seven for rape,” said Van Dyk.
The team also responded to a call regarding a business robbery in progress.
“[This] resulted in the interception and identification of a black Mazda CX7, which was found to have been stolen in October in Vosman,” said Van Dyk.
Van Dyk told Rekord that the suspect was linked to a warrant of arrest for other housebreaking incidents in Sinoville.
An unlicensed firearm was confiscated that was reported stolen in Kempton Park in September 2023.
Additionally, 63 undocumented immigrants were detained and will undergo deportation once the legal processes have been finalised.
One person was arrested in possession of 4kg dagga and will face a charge of dealing in dagga.
A total of 208 Aarto infringement notices were issued, worth R89 450.
The Department of Labour inspected 11 businesses and subsequently issued 16 with contravention and improvement notices.
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